More seats but shorter range for Boeing’s new jet specifications

In a move that follows close on the heels of Airbus’ announcement regarding new seating configurations which show increased numbers, Boeing have indicated they will be increasing their seat numbers on wide-body jets, meaning that Boeing’s biggest plane, the 747-8, will no longer be its largest in terms of standard capacity. The 777-9X, which is due to begin operations after 2020, is now expected to seat up to 425 passengers in two classes, as opposed to 410 in three classes on board the 747-8. There is an increased seat count on its main wide-body planes, the 787 and 777, which will reduce the cost-per-seat for airlines, while the seat counts for the narrow-body 737s will remain the same.
The amendments to the aircrafts’ specifications reflect changing patterns, specifically dealing with an increase in passenger weight, seat weight, luggage weight and cargo weight. The new premium seats, which are usually lie-flat beds, will weigh roughly 100 pounds more than previous seats of this type. These increases in weight now mean Boeing has had to adjust aircraft ranges, with the recently introduced 787-9 dropping the most, by 665 nautical miles or approximately 1,230 km.
Boeing have made it clear it has not altered the way it markets the jets but stops short of revealing specific data, saying “we develop generic numbers to explain the performance. The company also stated that the larger seating capacity on its wide-body jets was not an attempt to demonstrate better economic returns. Instead Boeing have indicated the revisions reflect the change from three to two classes of seats in wide-body aircraft. However, industry sources have pointed out that decisions relating to seat counts can provide clues clues to the way manufacturers want their aircraft to be perceived by both lessors and airlines.